Career
McGinnis was drafted 184th overall in the 2005 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. Ryan was originally a selection in the fourth round, 78th overall, by the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL Draft in 2003. McGinnis was traded prior to his last OHL season in 2007-2008 to the Oshawa Generals in June 2007.
Unsigned from the Kings, McGinnis attended the Carolina Hurricanes training camp for 2008-2009.
He was then assigned and played with Hurricanes affiliates, the Florida Everblades of the ECHL and Albany River Rats of the AHL. On September 15, 2009, Ryan was signed to a one-year contract with the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL. He improved on previous seasons numbers in 2009-2010 with 33 points in 49 games with the Wings, as well appearing on loan with the Norfolk Admirals and Manitoba Moose of the AHL.